Haemoptysis (Khansi mein Khoon ka thookna) is the coughing up of bloody sputum from the lungs and bronchial tubes (airway bleeding). Haemoptysis is a serious medical condition that needs immediate medical attention. Airway infections, cancers, as well as problems in blood vessels can cause hemoptysis.
If you are young and healthy, coughing up blood can be an alarming situation, however it is not a sign of a serious problem. It can be the result of chronic cough or chest infection. Therefore, needs appropriate diagnosis. Furthermore, it also can be a result of trauma to neck and chest, swallowing of something sharp or edgy that can cause blood in the sputum.
Haemoptysis can be classified as massive or non-massive based on the lost blood volume. Massive blood in sputum is a condition that is described as massive hemoptysis. On the other hand, non-massive hemoptysis refers to the low volume of blood in sputum.
Massive And Non-Massive Hemoptysis
Coughing up more than 4-5 g of blood is considered a medical emergency. Medical officials set a quantitative measure to explain the severity of hemoptysis, in which if you are coughing up blood less than 4-5 g, it is considered as non-massive haemoptysis and when you cough up almost 100 cc of blood, it is called massive hemoptysis.
Accompanying Symptoms
- High fever
- Chest Pain when coughing
- Coughing
- Purulent sputum
- Mucocutaneous bleeding
- Jaundice
Causes & Risk Factors Of Hemoptysis
There are many causes and risk factors that also can lead to haemoptysis (Nafs-ud-dam) and these may include;
- Acute And Chronic Bronchitis: This one is the more common cause of coughing up blood.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A type of obstructive lung disease characterized by long-term breathing problems.
- Autoimmune And Inflammatory Conditions: this may include granulomatosis, lupus, both polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis as well as inflammation of the blood vessels (Churg-Strauss syndrome).
- Bronchiectasis: This is a disease in which the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened.
- Congestive Heart Failure: It can also be the cause of hemoptysis due to the narrowing of the mitral valve opening causing obstruction in blood flow.
- Paragonimus Westermani: One of the major species of lung flukes causing parasitic infections that can also lead to hemoptysis.
- Tuberculosis (tb): Tuberculosis is a disease that usually attacks the lungs and can cause hemoptysis.
- Lung Cancer: Haemoptysis can occur as a result of tumor erosion of a blood vessel.
Note: There are several sources of bleeding within the lung and endobronchial tree that can be responsible for haemoptysis.
When To Seek Medical Attention?
If you are coughing up blood, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Contact your doctor and tell him about the symptoms that you are experiencing. Your doctor will perform some testing to accurately diagnose either you are experiencing hemoptysis or not. Coughing up blood can be a sign of a serious respiratory condition as well.
Single Herbs To Treat Hemoptysis
- Neel Khanti (Bugleweed)
- Num-Giyah/ Red hot cat’s tail (Acalypha Hispida)
- Waltheria Indica
- Baobab (Adansonia digitata)
- Khatmi (Althaea Officinalis)
- Tukhm e Khatmi (Marsh Mallow)
- Katan /Alsi (flax seeds)
- Roghan Alsi (Flax seed oil)
- Sat Leemun (Lemon extract)
Compound Unani Formulations For Haemoptysis
EndNote: Unani drugs should be taken under the guidance of a certified Unani Physician. In order to get optimum results, patients are required to follow the regimen strictly.
